Sha-Ha-Ka: A Mandan Chief

Artist Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Mémin (French, 1770 - 1852)

Author Thomas L. McKenney (American, 1785 - 1859)

Author James Hall (American, 1793 - 1865)

Lithographer John T. Bowen (American, 1801 - 1856)

Date1836-1837

Mediumlithograph on paper, hand-colored

Dimensions19 3/4 × 13 3/4 inches (50.2 × 34.9 cm)

Credit LinePurchase of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, 1994

Object number91.110.19

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionHand-colored lithograph based on an 1807 drawing by Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Mémin. Profile portrait of Sha-Ha-Ka or Big White, a Mandan Chief.

Label TextSha-ha-ka was a chief of the Mandan people. His name translated as Big White. He met Lewis and Clark in 1804. The explorers visited Mandan villages during their famous expedition. They invited Sha-ha-ka to visit Washington, D.C. President Thomas Jefferson welcomed the Mandan chief to the Capital. During this visit Saint-Mémin drew a portrait of Sha-ha-ka. The French artist specialized in profile portraits that were drawn with precision. The American Philosophical Society acquired the drawing. They allowed a copy to be made for McKenney’s book.

ProvenancePurchased November 1, 1983 through (The Old Print Shop, New York, New York) by Donald S. Graham; purchased November 29,1994 through (Anderson O'Brien Gallery, Omaha, Nebraska) by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art

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